Holidays!

The holidays are here! How the heck did that happen?? My kids were just out for the summer, and NOW i'm wrapping Christmas gifts? And, along with gifts, you know what else is coming...the yummy food! Nom nom nom.... I've never been one to say 'no' to a cheesecake!

This is my plan: The days before I KNOW i'm going to indulge--let's be real, people, you KNOW you're going to indulge--push my workouts hard. HARDER than usual. Eat super clean. Drink all my water. Then, you know what? When I do splurge a little--it's not going to feel so bad. The extra cals won't affect me, either. That next day--hop right back into your workouts! It can be done! :)

The hardest part for me is not actually the DAY of the event, but the entire season! (How's that for pinpointing?) There are always sweets around during the holiday season. Just keep telling yourself NOT to eat them now--wait for that ONE day. Then eat whatever the heck you want. Hey, it may not be GREAT, but like i said, i'm being REAL.

If you don't ENJOY yourself, then your healthy lifestyle isn't going to stick. You're not going to be successful if you're constantly feeling like you can't enjoy "naughty" food once in a while!

Have fun! AMP up those workouts!

The results are in...

And...over the course of a year--Oct 09 to Oct 10--these are my new stats (before/after):

• Weight: 165/127
• Waist: 31/26
• Hips (at fullest part): 43/37
• Chest (at fullest part): 37/34
• Right arm: 12.5/11.25
• Left arm: 12.35/11
• Right thigh (at fullest part): 24.5/21.75
• Left thigh: 24.25/21.5
• Body fat: 26%/16% (caliper measurements)

WOO-FREAKING-HOO!!!!

It's not about how old you are...

It's about how FIT you want to be! More proof that anyone can do this program! You can be young, old, or anywhere in between! Fitness is a lifestyle change--anyone can do it!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XGw8uqrRkiQ

New Years resolutions...coming up quick

Like i said in my previous post--it's almost that time of year. Not only for going overboard on food, but the time of year when people start making resolutions (and not sticking to them). I mention this for two reasons:

1. This year, you're going to make some resolutions, and you're going to stick with them.
2. If you're interested in becoming a BeachBody coach, then THIS is the time to do it!

Let's hit #1 first:
For how many years have you said, "I'm tired of being overweight!" "I'm tired of having no energy!" or, simply, "I'm just tired." How many January's have you started a 'diet,' an 'exercise program,' a 'new and improved you' program?? If you're anything like me, you've started quite a few. It seems that every year, I start January with a new vigor for life. I decide, like 90% of the population, that THIS year i'm going to lose weight--THIS year, i'm going to take better care of myself--THIS year, i'm going to make some "me" time. And by the end of February (usually sooner), I'm back to my December self. I get it. I've been there, and i've done that.

It really is time to take control. It's time to make YOU time. It's time to improve your self-esteem, your health, and your life. It's time that you throw the excuses aside. I've heard them all, because i used to say it, too: I'm too busy, I have no time, I'm just so tired. Listen: what do you hear? I hear EXCUSES. MAKE the time. MAKE. THE. TIME. If you don't know me, let me fill you in: I work full-time as an account manager for a marketing firm. Because I have a smartphone, I essentially work 24/7. I am at my desk from 7am-5pm. I usually don't take lunch until 2 or 3pm. At 5pm, we start our running around.

I have 2 little girls. We have piano on Mondays, gymnastics on Tuesdays, theatre on Wednesdays, gymnastics on Thursdays, and Fridays are our "free" evening--which usually turns into the "let's run all the errands we couldn't run during the week" day. Oh, and let's not forget the regular stuff too: laundry, cleaning, making dinner/lunches, etc. It's all there--you do it, I do it. This is what mom's do. We juggle constantly. But, when you look at all we do, there's ONE thing we leave out of our hectice schedules. ONE thing. Can you guess what it is? It's US. We leave OURSELVES out of our schedule. You know, I don't even get to take a SHOWER by myself. For the sake of time, the girls shower with me--one at a time. I'm used to shaving my legs over a 7-year old's head. So, where is MY time?

Last October, I just decided that I had had enough. I was sick and tired of letting MYSELF go for the sake of my family. Believe me, running myself ragged wasn't doing them any favors. I was never "put together," I wasn't healthy, I always felt short-tempered and, to be honest with you, bitchy. And i just felt like....well, crap. I wasn't eating--i honestly didn't have time--or, I wasn't MAKING time. I was running on Diet Coke and granola bars. Seriously--i'm not kidding. My daily diet was 2 cups of coffee, 1 Diet Coke, and 2 granola bars. WOW. I look at that now and think, "HOW did I function?"

I wasn't functioning, really. I was just going through the motions.

I ordered P90X, and started the first week of October. It hasn't been the same since. I MADE time for myself. Even that--that 1 hour a day--improved everything for me. Working out--getting my body moving and my blood flowing--improved everything for me. If you didn't get it: EVERYTHING IMPROVED FOR ME. All of a sudden, I was thinking about eating. I was HUNGRY. What did I WANT to put in my body for fuel? I started making wise choices--eating breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Drinking more water. Fast forward to August of this year--I made a HUGE change: I started eating "clean." No more Diet Coke; no more enriched, white flour; no more preservatives. I allow myself 1 cup of coffee a day. And you know what? It was easy. It's because my body didn't/doesn't need that stuff to survive any longer.

I'm happier, my kids are happier, my husband is happier. Starting Beachbody has not only changed me and MY life, but it has changed the lives of my family. Cheesy? Yes. True? Absolutely, 100%. My kids see me healthy, energized, and happy. My husband sees me healthy, energized, and happy. :)

Wow...nothing like telling a long story long, eh? :D

And now, on to #2:

If you're interested in becoming a Beachbody coach, now is the time to sign up. I spent so many years wanting to do something that made a difference, but didn't know what. THIS is it. Now, i make a difference! I'm helping people to get fit! I'm offering them support, encouragement, and a pat on the back! It's an awesome feeling; I love it. And, the bonus....you can bring in some extra cash doing it. What does it take? A great attitude, and the willingness to share and talk about what you do. I have NEVER made a "cold sell" to anyone. All of my sales have come from people asking me about P90X/Insanity/Shakeology. I simply tell them what these things have done for me. That's it. You don't HAVE to sell this stuff--it sells itself. Have I made thousands of dollars off of being a Beachbody coach? Nope. Do I want to? Eh, it would be a nice bonus, but it's not my goal. It CAN happen though! My FAVORITE part of being a coach, is helping people to acheive results they didn't think were possible. I think that's awesome. I'm my own client, for goodness sake! I'm a picture of the results you can get if YOU make the time for yourself. In essence, i'm my own advertisement. If you use BeachBody products, sign up to coach! You get a discount, and you're sharing the wealth of health. http://bit.ly/FitWisdom

Take care!
Steph aka Coach FitWisdom

Almost a year...

It has almost been a year since I started my lifestyle challenge. It's almost been a year since i decided I didn't want to carry this body around with me--i wanted a NEW body, NEW health, and a NEW life.

I'm so happy to say that my husband, Chris (MrFitWisdom on the bbboards), is now in Round 2 of his P90X journey--i'm so proud of him. He was in great shape before, but now, he's off the charts! I also just want to thank him for the awesome support he has given me through all this. There's not a day that goes by where he doesn't say he's proud of me, or mentions how great he thinks I look. He's so supportive of the workouts I do, and of the way i've changed my eating habits. I couldn't ask for a better partner in all of this. He defends me and my choices, and it makes my heart swell. This past weekend, a member of my family said something along the lines of, "Don't mention P90X to her, she'll try to sell you something!" Chris jumped in and said, "No, she won't!" And went on to tell that person that I talk about it because i'm so happy for what it's done to my life! He mentioned how i'm so dedicated to this program, and I share it with people because I know of the amazing changes it can make for ANYONE! THAT, my friends, is undying support.

And he's right--I'm NOT trying to sell anyone anything! I became a coach because these products are something that I believe in. I've made such amazing and significant changes in my health BECAUSE of these products! Why the heck WOULD'NT I share that information?! Besides, I don't HAVE to sell anything--people make their own decisions. Anyways--this husband of mine is such a blessing! I'm so lucky to have him and his support!

I can't wait to share with you my "Year Anniversary" pictures and measurements!


Take care all, and keep pushing play!
Steph

Things I'm teaching my daughters

Raising children to be aware of the food around them is tough these days. They're swarmed by junk food, fast food, and images of unhealthiness. Case in point: My oldest daughter has been begging to go to Burger King. Why? Because she wants the toy that's in their kids meal.

I've made a point to RARELY take my kids to fast food joints. Why? Because the healthy food choices are limited. So many people say, "But we HAVE to--we have no TIME to eat at home." Listen, I work full time, and the chicks are involved in something every day of the week--we MAKE time. When parents say that, I hear, "I don't have time for my child's health." Hey, I'm not saying i'm perfect. My kids have eaten a McDonald's chicken nugget before. But to be 100% honest with you, I can say we've been to McDonald's (or any other fast-food place) LESS than 5 times this year. Next time your kid wants you to take them to McDonald's, how 'bout you hand them a can of Crisco. Maybe a bottle of vegetable oil. Same difference.

In our home, we always have a stash of kid-friendly snacks: cereal bars, low-fat granola bars, nilla wafers, to name a few. Yep, i know we're looking at enriched flour products, but those options are a LOT better than french fries and chicken(?) nuggets--both deep fried. We also always have an assortment of fruit.

I'm NOT a health "nut," but I AM a health addict. I choose to be healthy both for myself, and my children. I want to set a good example for them. I don't always know if I'm doing it right, but there are little things that lead me to believe i'm doing a pretty good job:

• Clairey's homework was to discuss, with me, a book her teacher read in class. "What DIDN'T you like about the book?" I asked. "That the mommy was on a diet," she said. "Diet's aren't good for you--she should just eat healthy food and make good choices."
• Jenna had a friend spend the night last week, and as they were snacking, I was drinking a Shakeology. "What's that?" Jenna's friend asked. Jenna looked at her and said, "That's a Shakeology drink. It's 'the healthiest meal of the day'! That one drink has so many good things in it, it's like going to the salad bar FIVE times! It's good stuff."

Yep. Being healthy is GOOD STUFF. So do it. Do it for you. Do it for your kids.

Stay Motivated (from Tony Horton)

 How does anyone accomplish anything without staying motivated?

Getting from A to Z only comes with commitment. Everyone who has bought Power 90/P90X is committed to making huge changes in their lives. Being committed is one thing, but for many of us, staying committed and motivated at times seems impossible.


It is easy to think of many valid and legitimate reasons why NOT to do Power 90/P90X on any given day. We get sick and tired and overwhelmed and discouraged and overworked and stressed out and travel too much and undersleep, and well, the list goes on. So what do we do about it? QUIT! Some of us do. What about the people who don't quit? What the hell makes them so special? Why are some folks successful and others aren't? The answer is that the successful, committed, and motivated people have tricks. They have found a way to do it anyway. Here is my list that will help keep you motivated:



1. Stop beating yourself up if you miss a workout! It is OK to miss a workout once in a while. It doesn't mean the whole thing has gone to hell in a hand basket. Life happens. Priorities shifted that day. So what. Start where you left off. No big deal.




2. Don't freak out if you don't see results in the first 30 to 50 days. What! No results in the first month and a half! See, I knew you'd freak out. The point I'm trying to make here is that we all have a different starting point. Some will see results the first week. Others will have to wait a little longer based on age, body weight, how out of shape they were when they started, flexibility, athletic background, etc. Power 90/P90X means 90 days, not 90 minutes.





3. On your most exhausted, overwhelmed, lackluster days, stick the DVD in the player (or tape in the VCR) and see what happens. Be fully committed to having a lousy workout. You must be OK with the fact that you will be weak and puny and rotten at it. Because any workout, no matter how bad it is, is always better than NO workout at all. You just can't feel bad after a workout. Ever! If you've got good energy and you do the best you can, you'll have a great workout. If your energy and motivation are in the toilet and you do it anyway (even poorly), you've had a great workout!





4. Buy a calendar and a big fat red marker. The Power 90/P90X program has everything you'll need to rock your world. But for those of you who are having trouble with motivation, I want you to place this calendar where you see it all the time—on the front door, bathroom mirror, refrigerator, next to the TV or VCR, etc. For every day you do Power 90/P90X make a big fat red X. You might also want to write down if it was a Resistance or Cardio day. I still do this after 20 plus years of training. X means I showed up. No X means I didn't.



5. I want you to write this on your calendar: THE JOY OF DISCIPLINE OR THE PAIN OF REGRET. WHICH WILL IT BE TODAY?





Well, I hope that keeps the fire burning. We have this powerful temple called the human body. If we treat it right, the world is our playground.